Turkish fm thanks countries which help Turkey

VAN (A.A) - November 9, 2011 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who visited quake-hit Van province of Turkey on the last day of Eid al-Adha religious holiday, thanked all countries which have helped Turkey after the earthquake. Davutoglu visited the area where tents sent from 30 different countries were set up near Ferit Melen Airport of the eastern province of Van. Noting that whole Turkey acted with solidarity immediately after a massive earthquake hit Van, Davutoglu said that foreign countries also launched aid campaigns for Turkey. Davutoglu thanked all people and countries helped Van after the quake. A few hours after the earthquake happened, foreign ministers of many countries called us on the phone and expressed solidarity and support, said Davutoglu. He noted that teams from many countries, especially from Azerbaijan, helped people in Van. Davutoglu said that many countries from Finland to Egypt, Canada to Pakistan offered to help Turkey, adding that as soon as Turkey announced that it was ready to accept help, these countries sent assistance.  He said that foreign countries sent 21,593 tents, more than 100,000 blankets and many containers to Turkey, adding that Turkey was thankful for these helps. Van was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.2 on Richter scale on October 23. 601 people were killed and 4,152 others were wounded in the quake. 188 people were pulled alive out of the debris.